New brass closet flange on lead drain

I've recently purchased a new old house (1924). In one upstairs bathroom, the toilet was perched upon some 3/4" thick wood shims. I figured I had better figure out why, so I pulled it and discovered a previous owner's repair job. He was a carpenter / woodworker, and apparently not a plumber.

The drain is lead, and the flange is one of those PVC flanges with a neoprene gasket. It only went into the drain about half way, and stuck above the finished floor a good inch, hence the wood shims.

I tend to do my own work, but on this one, I decided to call a couple of recommended local plumbers. Both suggested inserting a brass flange, and just bending the lead over the flange, sealing with a wax ring and reinstalling the toilet. I was hoping to find someone that could still do the above but solder the drain to the flange (which is what I've read is the preferred method.)

One problem is the lead doesn't really stick up very high above the floor. Apparently, I can get a deep seal flange, but I don't know if this will solve the problem. Is there a way to extend the lead higher? Is it even appropriate to just peen the lead down onto the flange without soldering? Any other suggestions? At this point, replacing the lead is not an option, as the plaster ceiling below and the mosaic tile floor are both original and in excellent condition.

Zach

This is a plastic repair flange that inserts into lead.



Here is lead that is soldered to the flange.



And this one works on 3" plastic drains.